McCaffrey still sidelined as joint practices produce a pile of minor scares

Christian McCaffrey remains off the field for zmoneyballers, now a full week into whatever "tightness" is holding him out. Kyle Shanahan says the running back would have practiced Tuesday if the 49ers hadn't been in a joint session with the Chargers, and he shot down any contract-related theories. For a weekly starter, a week without practice is still a week without practice.

That same 49ers-Chargers session produced a round of smaller alarms. Brock Purdy (CapitanKampana) has a good chance to see a brief preseason look Thursday, a non-event for a locked-in starting QB. Mike Evans (Cmoney7) left with a foot issue that later turned into a quad wrap, though Shanahan wasn't concerned. Quentin Johnston (Cmoney7) limped off with a lower-body injury of his own, then called himself totally fine. Both are bench-tier worries for Cmoney7, worth a glance and not much more.

Chris Olave gave Trotter0 a scare during a Saints-Cowboys practice, briefly heading toward the medical tent after a sideline grab before jogging right back into drills. With New Orleans' receiver room already thin, his quick return is a real plus for a weekly starter.

Elsewhere: Jayden Higgins (Trotter0) needed help up after a hit at Texans practice but walked off on his own, and C.J. Stroud expects him fine. J.K. Dobbins (CapitanKampana) worked in full pads, easing Broncos concerns. Jaylen Waddle (DamnBrit) did the same, continuing his climb back. Kyle Monangai (zmoneyballers) is week-to-week with a knee injury, clearing room for D'Andre Swift. Justin Herbert (ssbradley40) gets the start in Thursday's preseason game, a low-stakes tune-up. And Kenny Gainwell (jgianares) picked up a glowing endorsement from Baker Mayfield, still stuck behind Bucky Irving on the depth chart.